Inspection tool



May 19, 1942.

F. P. KRETCHMER 2,283,560

INSPECTION TOOL Filed April 7, 1941 Patented May 19, 1942 UNlTLE D STATENVT OFFICE INSPECTION TOOL Frank P. Kretch-mer, Los Angelcs, Calif.Application April 1941. Serial No. 387,129

' 1 Claim. (01. 88-404) This invention relates to. an inspection tool,and its primary object is the provision of a new and improved inspectiontool havin a reflecting surface whereby the tool may be inserted withinan opening so that the inspector or operator may see the inside of anarticle or machine, the device being capable of being manipulated at aremote position from the reflector so as to shift the reflecting surfaceto various positions or angles.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an inspection toolhaving a mirroredsurface which is adapted to be inserted in an openingfor inspecting out-of-the-way places and dark corners of devices, suchas automobile and airplane motors, there being new and improved meansfor efiecting the angular position of the mirror with respect to thehandle,-whereby the operator or inspector, by shifting the angularposition of the V mirror, may examine various sections of the articlebeing inspected. A further object of the invention is the provi-' sionof an inspection tool constructed and arlected embodiment of theinvention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective View of the improved inspection tool andembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a. detail side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal plan section;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which the mirroror reflecting head is secured to the operating handle;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 'l-'I of Fig. 2.

The particular device herein shown for the purpose of illustrating theinvention comprises an elongated handle member-l having a part cut awayat its end substantially'one-half the thickness', as indicated at 2,Fig. 1, leaving a'projection 3'acting as a bearing portion to receive asimilar bearing portion 4 on the head 5. A pivot pin 6 in the'form ofascrew or otherwise pivotally connects the head 5 to the handle I, asclearly shown in the various figures. This pivot connection 6 maycomprise a threaded screw member Iv passing through the parts 3 and 4and having its end peened over against a washer or nut 8 whereby the twoparts are pivotally and frictionallyheld together by the pivot member 6.

A wire 9 is mounted within the handle I near the head end thereof andhas its extreme end bent inwardly. and engaging'the part 4 on the; head5, as indicated'at 10, Fig. 3; The opposite end of the wire 9 projectsoutwardly from the handle I and is connected at H to a sleeve l2.- Thus,when the sleeve I2 is shifted longitudinally along the handle I, thehead 5 is adapted to assume various angular positions, as shown in Fig.2. The body I is provided'with cut-outs or open spaces [3, I4, 15,. Fig;2, so, as to permit easy threading of the wire into the handle member lto permit quick and easy assembly. More:

over, the open space I5 is sufliciently elongated so as to permit thewire 9 to extend outwardly therefrom to be connected to the sleeve l2. Asemi-circular depression or cut-out I6 is also formed in the handle Ifor the same purpose of permitting the proper application of the wire 9in the handle I In use when the sleeve l2 has been moved to rotate head5 with its mirror, 20 into desired oblique positions, head 5 is held insaid position by the frictional engagement of circular end portion 3 ofhandle I with the circular portion 4 of head 5, and the additionalfrictional engagement of that portion of rod 9 contacting brake member26 within handle I.

The head 5 and the part 4 may be cast as a single unitary piece or thehead 5 may be provided witha stud' ll, Fig. 4, which engages the part 4for connecting the parts 4 and 5 together. If desired, this member I!may make a pivotal connection between the parts 5 and 4 so that the head5 may be tilted on the member I! acting as an axis.

The head 5 and handle l'are preferably made from a plastic material thatis clear and transparent, such as a cellulose derivative known asTenite." The head 5 comprises a circular body portion having an annularrim l8 which is turned inwardly, as indicated at l9, Fig. 5, so as toprovide a shoulder for a piece of reflecting material 20, such as amirror, which is inserted from the rear of the head and pressed againstthe annular shoulder or ring 2| formed by the turned-in edge l9. Themirror 20 is held in position against the shoulder 2| by a plug orbacking member 22 which is also inserted from the rear of head 5.Theback 22 is also preferably made of a plastic material similar tothatof the head and is sealed in position in the head by a correspondingmaterial, such as cellulose acetate, whereby the backing member is heldin position by the normal-- characteristics of the material fromwhichthe head is made. The reflector 20 is therefore locked in positionand is protected on the back and about the edges thereof,leavingthelfront surface 23 thereof in plain view for use in inspectionpurposes.

The handle I is preferably rectangularin. cross.

section and has its outer end. 24 slightly smaller at thepointcommencing at'the shoulder 25. The.

part.24 is reduced. sufficientlyto conform. sub: stantially with theside of the co-operating ferrule or sleeve l2. Therefore, the sleeve or.ferrule l2 can not be positioned inwardly. any farther.

than the shoulder 25, at which time the head will be in relatively axialalinement with the handle The invention provides a relatively simple butefiiciently operating device. for use in inspection purposesparticularlyfor inspecting out-of-theway places. For instance, the tool isparticularly adaptable for viewing the inside surfaces of motors,blocks, pistons, and otherpieces ofmachinery. Theheadis adapted tonbeinserted down into an 0pening, .after which time the sleeve I2 isoperated to effect the proper, angular position so that thevinspectormay shift'the head and bring the reflecting surface into position,sothat the rear, back or inside parts may be viewed and inspected.Moreover,.in many instance themside of the article to be inspected isdark, and by making the inspection tool of a clear material other lightis used. The device is light in weight. rigid and durable inconstruction, positive and efficient in operation, and can be readilyand inexpensively manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and'the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fairly fall within the scope of the following claim.

This invention is hereby claimed as follows: An inspection tool of thecharacter described for mechanical inspection purposes comprising anelongated handle, a sleeve slidably mounted on the upper endof saidhandle, said sleeve having an opening, said handle having at its lowerend a circular end portion, a head having a circular portion rotatablyattached to and in frictional contact, with said circular end, portionof said handle, a mirror, attached to said head, said circular portionof said head having an opening adjacent its circumference, a rod havingan out:

wardly extendin projection at its upper end ex:

tending into said opening of said sleeve for en-v gagement of saidsleeve, saidrod extending into said handle'and, a brake member formedintegrally with said handle and positioned between said sleeve and saidhead, said rod engaging in frictional contact with said .brake member,said rod having, an inwardly extending bend .on its lowerend extending.within said opening in said circular portion for, engagement of saidcircular portion, said sleeve adapted @upon receipt of'directmanual,movement to slide along said handle to move said rod and rotate saidhead and mirror intodesired obliquepositions with respect to no shadowswill be present when a flashlight or

